Hello! No, I am not back. But, yes, I am at my mother's, therefore I could write this! I can't believe I just wrote this all in one sitting, in basically the amount of time that it takes to watch Batman Begins. I am very tired. It is very late. I am going to bed now.
Happy Thanksgiving to all the Canadians! If you don't like pumpkin pie, you suck a little bit. But I forgive you :)
Hope you have a great Turkey day! You Americans will get your turn :)
Hope you guys like it. It was made of me on lots of tiredness and vague memories of what was planned for this chapter. Blah.
Chapter Four: Party & Slumber.
For the rest of the week, Rosalie and I worked hard. This girl was a prodigy, too. She was excelling at the practice items I gave her, and she could play a full song with one hand. She decided she wanted to try with two once the week was up.
We were still working on remembering the names of different chords. But, I decided that she was still a child, and this much learning wasn't any fun anyway for the beginning of her summer. Once she started lessons again in the fall she'd concentrate a lot more on the different technical things.
Alice's condition was slowly progressing. She was moving into more medium shades of the darker colours she wore. Evidently, my parents' trip was allowing her to be freer, and with just Emmett and myself she was a lot happier.
The man she was waiting for still hadn't come, though.
The phone rang just as I was about to head out to the Swan's for the night. I ran back into the house, Emmett was upstairs taking a shower and Alice had her hands in the sink full of dishes.
"Hello?" I answered breathlessly.
"Edward?" My mother called. "Are you okay, what's the matter?"
"I just ran to get the phone Mom, that's all," I sighed.
"Alright then dear. You know how I asked you to go to a brunch with my friend and I?" she quipped.
"Yeah, but now you're gone away with dad so I suppose you'll have to cancel…" she laughed, a harsh, barking sound.
"No, dear! The brunch was going to be here in Seattle, so I expect you and your brother and cousin to come out for the day tomorrow and I'll introduce them to you." My heart hammered in my chest. The two hour drive to Seattle, plus the who knows how long brunch, plus the two hour drive back meant that I'd be missing my class with Rosalie, which meant that I wouldn't be able to see Bella. The thought was frightening. I'd seen this girl nearly every day, she was constantly on my mind. I wasn't sure if I'd be able to last a day without her when I knew I was supposed to be with her.
"Fine, Mother… I'll see you in a few hours," I muttered before hanging up and slumping against the wall. I sat there with my head in my hands until Alice and Emmett came back inside.
"What's the matter, Ed?" Emmett asked me, sitting down in front of me. Alice stood by my side and ran her fingers through my hair.
"Mom wants us to go out to Seattle to have brunch with her and some friends. All of us," I muttered. Alice stiffened. It was quiet for a moment and then she walked away. Emmett sighed.
"I guess I won't be playing football with the guys today," he mumbled. I nodded, smiling apologetically at him as he left to go upstairs to change into something our mother would call suitable.
I dialed the familiar number, still sitting against the wall and listened as the phone rang twice before her gorgeous voice filled my ears.
"Hello?" she asked quietly. Mrs. Swan was home so Bella was being a lot more reserved than she was when it was just her sister and I around.
"Hello Bella, it's Edward," I said simply. I could hear the smile in her voice as she replied. The thought of her smiling face made my heart race, hoping that I could make her just that little bit happy.
"Hey, Edward, how are you?" My own smile was growing at her words.
"I'm great, Bella. I was actually calling because I won't be able to make it tonight, unfortunately. My mother has decided to ruin all my plans my brother, cousin and I have and make us go out to Seattle for the day." I heard Bella's breath let out.
"Oh, I see," she mumbled, sounding thoroughly disappointed. "That's too bad. I hope you have a safe trip, though…" I smiled weakly.
"Thanks. If you could just have Rosalie practice a few of the songs we worked on yesterday, that will be fine. She shouldn't work too hard." Bella and I chatted for a few more minutes, and after she assured me that she would make sure Rosalie practiced we hung up and I dragged myself off of the floor.
Emmett came down stairs, wearing a light blue button up shirt and a pair of dark jeans. He grumpily pulled on his sneakers and headed out to my car. Alice came down soon after and I was disappointed when I saw her. She had the smoky dark eyes, and she was wearing a black sundress with a grey cardigan, back to her depressing palette, though not in such ugly clothes.
She barely looked at me and went out to the car with Emmett.
When there was only half an hour left until we arrived in Seattle, I called my mother and got directions for the café we would be dining at. I parked a little bit down the street and we quickly walked to where we saw our parents, seated outside.
"Good afternoon Mother, Father," I said, sitting down next to my father. I saw my mother's eyes scanning over our attire, frowning deeply at Alice. My cousin merely ignored her and picked up the menu after folding a napkin on her lap.
"I'm glad you got here on time," my mother said shortly. I nodded at her and picked up my own menu.
"Who is it exactly that you wanted me to meet?" I asked.
"My friend Linda Mallory and her daughter Lauren are coming. Also, Rebecca Newton and her son Michael will be here soon, Alice I expect you to be nice, it took me a while to convince them to meet you." Alice and I both froze.
"Why exactly are we meeting these people?" Alice whispered. My father cleared his throat and pulled at his tie nervously. Now I understood.
"Mother you cannot possibly be thinking of setting us up, can you?" She simply smiled at me. Alice groaned and I pressed my lips together to prevent myself from saying something totally obscene. It took only minutes for the Mallory's to arrive, and the Newton's followed soon after.
We stood to greet them. Mike kissed Alice's hand and she grimaced at me. I held out Lauren's seat for her and was absolutely disgusted as she flicked her hair out over her shoulders, smiling at me.
Immediately after our food arrived the conversation turned to the mother's telling everything they could about their child. It was like Alice and I were being sold off; we had no say in the matter. The mindless babble continued for an hour after brunch was finished and I was working on my cup of tea. I kept glancing up at Alice and she looked absolutely miserable.
Luckily, my little brother was a smart one.
"Mom," he whispered, tugging on her sleeve," I really, really don't feel well…" Her eyes widened in fright as she looked at him.
"Edward," she called, speaking to my father; "take him to the bathroom, please." I watched as a pale Emmett and my terrified father walked inside the café. There was silence at the table for a fraction of a second, then all the women began to talk
Alice pointedly ignored Mike, who then turned to talk to Lauren. Emmett and father came back a few moments later. Dad looked a little shaken up and leant down to speak with my mother. She nodded furiously, gave Emmett and quick hug and a peck on the cheek.
"Edward, you can take them home now. Emmett is quite sick; he just threw up in the bathroom. You might want to pick up some medicine on your way, maybe Gravol so that he won't get motion sickness, and keep a bag in your car just in case. Drive safely so that he can lie down, okay?" I nodded and wished everyone goodbye quickly, taking Emmett and Alice out front while I brought up the car.
Alice sat in the front with a smile while Emmett launched himself in the back, looking top notch.
"What did you do?" I asked warily, pulling away from the sidewalk and heading for the highway.
"I may have brought some creamers into the bathroom with me to fool dad into thinking that I had thrown up, so that we could go home," he said simply. "I am expecting a night in with you guys though. Movies, snacks, the whole deal." I chuckled loudly and Alice smiled brilliantly.
We sang and talked the whole hour and a half for the ride home. Emmett was impressed at my skill for shaving off a few extra minutes. I pulled up to the house and we went inside to change into some more casual clothes. Emmett pulled on a simple t shirt, and I followed suit. Alice came down the stairs wearing a light skirt that looked like it was made from a patchwork quilt, and a red tank top. This was by far the most colour I had seen on her in the longest time. I smiled warmly and brought her out to the car, taking us down to the only movie spot in town.
Alice and Emmett both picked out a movie, I graciously paid for them. After all, Emmett did get us out of a disgusting afternoon in Seattle. We walked across the street to the Thriftway because according to Emmett, a copious amount of junk food was required. He and Alice picked up a shopping cart and rode it down to the junk aisle. A smirk played on my lips. Watching them was too entertaining. It was too bad that it only happened when mother wasn't here.
I calmly walked after the two. But, just when I was about to turn into the aisle a woman turned and walked straight into me. The force brought us both stumbling to the ground. I stood up quickly and grabbed her arms, pulling her up straight.
"I am so sorry," I explained to her. "Please, forgive me, I didn't see you there."
"It's alright Edward," she smiled. "It was my fault."
"B-Bella!" I gasped. Here is what was running through my head; oh my goodness she is beautiful, she probably thinks I cancelled work for no reason because I am here and now I look like a jackass and my God she looks beautiful in that dress.
Yes. I am a winner.
"Bella I am so, so, sorry I couldn't come to work tonight. I really was in Seattle. And, I realize that it's only now a little bit past six, and I could go to the lesson now, but my brother faked sick to get us back here early, and then we were at the house for a little bit, and now they've planned an entire evening and—"
"Edward, breathe," she said calmly, placing her fingers on my lips. My God, she was so close to me. I could just reach out and pull her to me. Control your appendages, Edward, please.
"It's really, quite alright," she said softly. "My grandmother is gone away for the night, and just when she left we had an unexpected guest. My brother Jasper has moved home! Isn't that wonderful? So, the three of us are having a movie night as well, actually."
I smiled at her, I couldn't help it. The shape of her mouth, and its delicate curve into a smile, the warmth of her eyes, it was all drawing me in. And we were so close. I felt like just leaning in, and I think my body may have moved, but I snapped myself out of it.
"We should go round everybody up," I said softly, feeling like it was far too loud a sound. Someone paged a cashier and it jerked us both, that was deafeningly loud compared to the moment we'd been in. She nodded and took my hand, bringing me down the chips and soda aisle.
Standing next to the salsa and chips, Emmett was frantically stumbling over his words while Rosalie, standing calmly in a pretty red dress was watching him carefully, a small smirk playing on her lips. He really was almost yelling at her, he was that nervous.
"Hello, Rosalie," I said, snapping Emmett out of his tirade. He sighed heavily in relief as she smiled and ran forward to me. I bent down to give her a hug.
"Mister Edward! It is so good to see you! I practiced just like you asked, but now we're going to have some fun, my brother moved home!" she looked so happy, her eyes were lit up in a way that I'd rarely ever seen before.
"That's wonderful, you'll have to introduce me to him," I told her softly.
"It looks like Alice has met someone," Emmett called lightly, motioning a few feet down the aisle.
Alice's small frame was staring up at a very tall, blonde man. Their hands were both holding on to the same bag of Dill pickle chips, and they just stood still, gazing into each other's eyes. Their mouths were both slightly agape, and it took them a moment to snap out of it.
They both smiled, and very quietly Alice said; "You've kept me waiting for a long time." The man smiled, bowed his head and looked up at her with a flush in his cheeks.
"Sorry, Ma'am," he murmured, letting her take the bag of chips. Bella nudged me lightly and we walked towards them.
"Jasper, this is Edward, Rosalie's piano teacher," Bella introduced. I shook hands with him and he smiled warmly at me.
"This is my cousin, Alice," I said, motioning towards the elated girl. They both grinned at each other.
"Why don't you guys have your movie night with us?" Emmett asked timidly. Jasper looked down at him, then back at Alice and smiled.
"Ooh, that would be a great idea! What do you guys think?" she looked at Bella and I expectantly. I knew exactly what she wanted.
"Sounds like a good idea. Bella?" The brown haired girl on my side smiled at her brother, her cheeks flushed and she nodded. I'm sure everyone was cheering in their heads.
"You can all come over to our place," Bella suggested softly. Jasper nodded vigorously and took Alice's hand as they went off with the younger two to pick out more food.
"Thank you," I said to Bella as we slowly walked together towards the cash. "I'm sure Emmett will be thankful, he does have a bit of a crush on your sister." Bella laughed, the same beautiful sound I'd been longing to hear.
"Yes, and I've never seen my brother look at anyone like he has your cousin." I grinned.
"Alice has a sort of sixth sense. I think she's going to hang on to your brother, to be honest." Bella laughed again.
"That would be fine by me, she seems a lovely girl." I nodded. The four of them were standing at the cash, the ridiculous amount of junk food was being checked through and Jasper paid for it all. He and Emmett picked up all the bags and started to bring them outside while Bella and I hurried to catch up.
"I'll meet you guys and your house, alright?" Bella nodded and slipped into the seat, leaving before I could snap myself out of a daze to get into the car.
"Edward I am so ridiculously happy," Alice squealed when I began to drive. "I can't believe I found him… this is a dream come true!"
"You are the best brother ever. I can't believe you agreed to share the movie night. Rosalie looked so pretty, didn't she? Don't hug her again, okay?" Emmett was leaning between our seats. I was grinning madly. Partly because of my happy family, mostly because of the night I would share with the most beautiful girl in the world.
"You look awfully keen yourself, mister," Alice hinted, jabbing me in the ribs as we walked their steps. "You behave yourself tonight, alright?"
I nodded, feeling a small warmth flood my cheeks. Bella answered the door, in a knee length pair of sweatpants and a tank top, looking absolutely irresistible, even if she wasn't in a cute dress. My mouth may have even started to water. Alice immediately launched herself into a conversation with Bella and Emmett and I were instructed to go downstairs.
Rosalie was sitting with Jasper, staring at a big screen television. She was in pyjama's too, and Jasper had opted for a light t shirt and pyjama pants. Now I wish we'd changed.
"If you want to go with the pj theme, you can borrow some of mine," Jasper offered kindly. I smiled and nodded while Emmett and I followed him into his bedroom, also in the basement. This was probably how he dealt with living with a stiff old grandmother, he situated himself down here.
Jasper passed Emmett a pair of blue sleep pants, and myself some brown plaid ones. Emmett was big enough already to fit in them.
Out in the TV room, Bella and Alice had joined us, carrying down one load of chips and candy. They smiled at us both when they were at the base of the steps, heading up for another load. Jasper and I immediately ran after them to help.
I stood behind Bella as Jasper and Alice fought softly over who would carry their precious dill chips. I reached around her when she began to lift up a gigantic bowl of popcorn and took it from her hands.
"I'll take that," I said to her softly. "You just grab the pop and glasses, okay?" I smiled at her, and was pleased to hear her breathing pick up. I swore I saw her eyes dart to my lips.
I'd give anything to make her feel more comfortable around me, to erase the shyness she seemed to envelope herself in. Whatever her grandmother had been teaching her, it was frustrating for me.
Rosalie and Emmett already had the entire line up for the evening picked out by the time we got back downstairs, so we set in straight away.
The two youngest ones sat on the floor in a pile of blankets and pillows. Alice and Jasper sat together towards one end of the couch, while Bella and I were on the other, my head in her lap and she lazily played with her hair.
It was late by the time we even got to the third movie. Late enough for the kids to be passed out on the floor, and the four of us to be dropping asleep. I was amazed as much food was eaten as it was.
"We should go home," I mumbled, trying to sit up. Bella's arm pushed my chest down and she frowned.
"No, no," Jasper said, clearly voicing what was on both of their minds. "You guys can stay here tonight, it's fine." Without another word he picked up Alice and brought her into his room, tucking her into his bed. "I give you my vow as a gentleman that nothing will happen tonight," he said, holding up two fingers.
"Jazz," Bella began. "Are the gentleman's club and the boy scouts the same thing?" I chuckled.
"No, no," I explained. "The gentleman's club is an elite society. Only the finest like Jasper and myself can get in." Bella rolled her eyes and I stood up. Jasper began fixing a bed for Emmett on the couch and when I was done I lifted my gigantic little brother into it and tucked him in. He groaned but immediately began snoring once he was comfortable.
"Show me to her room?" I asked as I picked Rosalie up in my arms. Bella nodded and Jasper whispered good night as he started cleaning up.
I carried Rosalie over the stairs. She curled into my chest and Bella held open the door to her room for me. She walked ahead, pulling down the covers and I tucked her inside.
Bella quietly shut the door once we were in the hallway. She bowed her head, hiding behind her hair and smiled at me.
"You'll sleep with me then, down here," she muttered.
Her room was large, simply decorated. I noticed the huge bookcases were filled with old books, classics, and some new ones. She was an avid reader, that much was true from getting to know her. Bella timidly slipped off her socks and untied her hair. She looked up at me and I smiled.
"If you're uncomfortable about it, I can go sleep on the couch with Emmett," I murmured. She laughed brightly and shook her head.
"No, it's fine, I was just worried you'd be uncomfortable." I smiled at her. As if I'd ever be uncomfortable sleeping next to her.
We both crawled into bed and she turned off the lights. We talked for a few moments about how our day went. I told her of my mother's attempted set up with Lauren and Mike. Eventually my eyes grew accustomed to the dark and I could see her pale skin in the moonlight.
God, she was beautiful.
There was quietness hanging in the room for a while, but I could tell from the way she was positioned and the fact that her eyes would flicker up to me that she wasn't asleep. She could tell by the way I was staring at her that I wasn't.
"Is something wrong?" I asked her quietly. She shook with laughter.
"I'm really, really, cold," she whispered. I grinned, and reached out, pulling her closer to me. This was what I wanted all along. I held her close to my chest and kept my arms wrapped around her. She sighed deeply.
"Thank you," she whispered. I kissed her forehead and bade her goodnight. Then we were both fast asleep.
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